Chapter Fifty-Two
Beau
Waking up alone had been hard these past few days.
I had gotten used to sharing my bed. In fact, I enjoyed it.
Waking up on Christmas morning without Dean had me crying softly into my pillow until I had gotten myself together.
I knew my son was patiently waiting for me so he could open his gifts.
The stocking with Dean’s name on it was a sad reminder that he wasn’t here to celebrate the holiday.
We had both tried to ignore it. Tried not to talk about him or bring up his name but I saw the sadness in my son’s eyes. He had grown as fond of Dean as I had.
I missed having Dean here. Everything felt wrong.
The sound of his voice. His laughter. The warmth of him against me when I slept.
His smell. Kissing him. Touching him. Making love to him.
We spoke a couple of times, but Dean kept it short.
It hurt both of us, but I think it hurt him more.
We texted because it was easier. But even that was hard.
After taking a long shower, I changed into a pair of comfy sweats, an old, tattered Boston shirt, and moved into the kitchen, only to find Cole sitting at the table with Dean.
They were laughing and talking like nothing had happened.
Eating breakfast. Drinking coffee and juice.
Like everything was normal. And my god. Dean’s hair.
Why was it pink? It looked terrible. It completely washed out the color of his skin.
But he was here. That had to mean something, right?
“Good morning, Dad.” Cole smiled at me. “Dean’s home. He made breakfast.”
Dean twisted around to stare at me, his green eyes wide as a flush spread up his neck and a smile tugged at his plump pink lips. “There’s plenty for you if you’re hungry.” His voice was music to my ears. “I can make you a plate.”
When he started to get up, I shook my head. “No, I...” I tried to swallow around the lump in my throat. “Are you staying?”
“Yes.” Dean nodded. “If you still want me.”
My eyes darted over to Cole. “Could you give us a minute, please?” As soon as Cole was gone, I turned back to Dean. “You’re really staying? When did you get here? Why didn’t you tell me? Dean, fuck, I love you. This week has been horrible, and I missed you. Cole and I both missed you.”
“He told me.” Dean slipped from his chair to stand before me.
He dug his fingers into the hem of my shirt.
He gave me a shy smile. “I’m so, so sorry, babe.
I never...” His voice cracked, and he pushed his face into my chest. “I shouldn’t have left.
I was miserable the whole time we were apart.
I overreacted. I should have stayed and talked to you instead of running. ”
I wrapped my arms around him. “You’re back now.”
Dean began to cry harder, sad, angry sobs wracking his body against mine.
I held him against me, cooing softly as he did.
I rubbed my palms against his back, told him how much I loved him and that he was all I thought about while he was gone.
How happy I was that he was home. That nothing else mattered now that he was here with me.
“Leaving you was a mistake,” Dean confessed. “I shouldn’t have done that. I was wrong. I don’t know why I could have thought you would cheat on me. And yes, I’m back for good.”
I brushed the tears from his face. “I missed you so much.”
“Kiss me,” Dean whispered.
I slanted my mouth over his, and everything fell right back into place.
The soft whimper Dean released went straight to my cock.
My skin prickled with heat, and when I felt how hard Dean was for me, I had to stop myself from pushing him against the wall and taking him right there in the kitchen.
Because that would have scarred my son for life.
“I love you so much, Pink,” I murmured. “Nothing was felt right without you here. I promise to never hurt you again. To always tell you where I am or where I’m going after a game. I never meant to upset you like that.”
Dean sniffed softly. “I love you, too. And I promise to never leave like that again. It wasn’t right. And God, being around all those happy couples... It was awful. I just wanted to be with you. When Wyatt asked how things were between...” He sighed as he let his voice trail off.
“How is Wyatt?” I pushed a piece of hair behind his ear.
He shrugged. “Better than I expected. He’s still trying to recover from what happened, but I think he’s going to be okay. Might have something to do with Noel.”
“Noel?” My brows shot up.
Dean chuckled as he grabbed my hand and pressed kisses against my palm.
“I have so much to tell you. And wait until you meet Ezra. That guy... Wow, he’s a lot.
I’ve never met someone like him before. He’s really brought Mav out of his shell.
They’re like best friends already. I’ve never seen my brother take to someone like that.
Oh, and Killian is going to be a father!
I’m so happy for him and Matty. They also got married.
I know that they are going to be the best parents—”
I kissed him before he could go on, because I could. Because I wanted to. Because I had missed the fuck out of him, and now he was home where he belonged. Because he was suddenly so animated and happy. Because I loved Dean and wanted to kiss him.
“Can we finish eating now?” Cole called, and I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up from my throat.
Dean snorted, and the smile that nearly split his face had my heart nearly beating from my chest. I had missed him so much. And now he was back. I had no intention of letting him leave again.
AFTER I INHALED THE breakfast Dean made, we spent the day together opening presents, making sure to stay as close to one another as possible.
Cole loved the gifts Dean had gotten him.
The ones that I had helped him with. Some new hockey gear as well as signed Mulligan paraphernalia that Cole nearly lost his mind over.
Dean also promised to bring him to North Carolina once Killian finished the recording studio he was building at his house.
Then Cole was off to spend some time with his friend, and I was alone with my boyfriend. Snuggled up on the couch, I carded my fingers through his hair, his head on my chest. “What are we doing about this color?”
“I know, it’s bad,” he told me. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing that I regretted the moment I saw it.”
I chuckled softly. “Sam can fix it.”
“I sure hope so.” Dean peeked at me from under his lashes. “Is it that bad?”
I shook my head. “No, but pink isn’t your color, Pink.” I moved to lie on my back and pulled him up so he was lying on top of me. “Do you think you’d want to be a father?”
“What?” He stared at me with big, round eyes. “Do you mean like a stepdad to Cole?”
I tugged on his messy ponytail. “Sure. Or a dad, dad. We could adopt or get a surrogate like Killian.”
“Beau.”
“Dean.”
He struggled to get to his feet. “What... I don’t... What exactly are you saying right now?”
“I want to marry you. That’s what I’m saying.
I want to make this a forever thing between us.
Before this little break between us, I had been thinking about it.
And now, now that you’re back and we’re working on figuring everything out, I want to make it forever.
I want you to be Dean Frost-Whitaker. I want to have you by my side forever and ever.
I want to know you’ll be here when I get home, when I wake up.
Cole and I love you. You’re the missing piece we didn’t even know we needed.
” I took a deep breath. “I meant what I said before. I want you to marry me. I shouldn’t have asked you the way I did. ”
Dean’s mouth dropped open. “This is a lot.”
“I know, and you don’t have to say yes now. Think about it. That’s all I ask.” I got up to touch his face. “But I want forever with you.”
He nodded. “Okay, yeah, I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” I brushed my lips over his.
Dean groaned as he pressed against me. “I think you should take me to bed, Daddy, and have your way with me.”
“Mm, do you?” I gripped his hips.
He nodded. “It’s been far too long.” Dean squealed with laughter when I picked him up bridal-style in my arms.
“Whatever you want, Pink baby.”